SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 63 out, this is Chapter 64 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.

Chapter 64: The New Magic Knight Squad Captains' Meeting

"All the Magic Knights Squad Captains are here?" Finral was shocked to see all of the Captains present at the meeting.

"Damn that Julius." Yami cursed. "He's the one who called all of us here, and he's late again. He didn't forget to call us all here and then just wander off somewhere, did he?"

"You know," Nozel conceded. "That might actually be possible this time."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone." Marx addressed the Captains as he, Julius and Rhiannon entered the meeting room.

"He's..." Asta recognized Damnatio at the door.

"You jackass." Yami growled. "If you have a problem with one of my Squad members again, I'll gladly take you..."

"Yami." Rhiannon interjected. "I'm the one who called Damnatio here."

"It appears that what you'll be discussing today concerns me as well." Damnatio explained. "Therefore, I was told that I was obligated to be here."

"Today, we'll be talking about the devil that resides in the Spade Kingdom." Marx started. "The other day, a few of our fellow citizens went to the Heart Kingdom to find out more about the devils. I believe all of you have seen the reports, but I would like to hear from the ones who were actually there."

"In the Heart Kingdom, they measure a mage's strength with a system called Magic Stages." Mimosa began, Marx displaying a graph on a Memory Magic screen.

"The Stages go up in order from nine." Noelle continued. "The smaller the number, the stronger the mage."

"According to Queen Lolopechka, it's not the total number of mages, but the number of mages near Stage Zero that will determine who is more powerful in a battle among mages." Finral took over.

"And this part's really important." Julius pointed out. "If we're up against a devil, apparently, we won't stand a chance unless everyone fighting is Stage One or stronger. The powerful curse in the Heart Kingdom that Asta and the others went to investigate was the one cast upon Queen Lolopechka. It seems the Queen only has about another year to live due to the curse."

"And the one who put that curse on her..." Nozel trailed.

"One of the three rulers of the Underworld, Megicula." Rhiannon nodded.

"And from a separate report from another group of Black Bulls, the Diamond Kingdom is currently under attack by the Spade Kingdom." Julius continued.

"In the past few years, the Spade Kingdom has become more and more powerful." Marx spoke. "It's very likely..."

"That specific devil is helping them out." Fuegoleon concluded.

"What we'll be discussing at this meeting is what we should do to go up against the Spade Kingdom and this devil." Julius declared. "Queen Lolopechka plans to attack the Spade Kingdom in six months, before she becomes weaker. We are thinking of assisting the Heart Kingdom and fighting alongside them. I would like all of you to train your Squad members as much as you can. We only have six months, but do everything you can to raise everyone's Magic Stages, so that we can face the Spade Kingdom and protect this Kingdom. I've heard from Queen Lolopechka that the Spirit Guardians will also help us out. Can I count on all of you?"

"Of course." Fuegoleon was the first to respond.

"Like you even need to ask us." Yami snorted. "We've already started."

"William?" Julius blinked when William stood up.

"I will participate in the fight." William promised. "But after everything I've done, I can't face my Squad as the Captain of the Golden Dawn any longer. I ask that you relieve me of my duties as Captain. Also, I'd like to you assign me to a new mission. I'd like to put my life on the line to defeat the devil."

"In that case, I'm also guilty." Charlotte cut in. "Though my body was taken over by an elf, the crimes I committed against the Clover Kingdom as punishable by death."

"I agree." Kaiser concurred. "I am not worthy of being a Captain."

"Hold a moment." Rhiannon interjected. "I understand why you feel guilty, but we cannot relieve you of your duties as Captains. Besides," she turned to Charlotte. "Won't what you said end up involving all the other Magic Knights possessed by elves, as well?" with a deep sigh, she continued. "What I learnt from my past life's memories is that all three rulers of the Underworld had always work in tandem. That's why, with the appearance of Megicula, I have reason to believe that all the three rulers of the Underworld have surfaced in this realm. If the three of you want to atone for what you did, you have no other options but to forget your positions and do all you can to protect this Kingdom. So, Damnatio, does that work for you?" she smiled at the Scale Magic user.

"What do you mean?" Damnatio asked.

"In order to defeat the devil, the Magic Knights will have to get stronger in the next six months." Rhiannon explained. "I'd like you to think about what to do with Asta after we've taken care of this matter with the Spade Kingdom."

"I have no objection." Damnatio declared and took his leave.

"Marx, you can have him come in." Julius instructed.

"It's Hard Ham." Yami was surprised when Marx brought the still handcuffed Gueldre in.

"I'm sure you are all very familiar with the former Captain of the Purple Orcas, Gueldre Poizot." Julius stated. "The other day, while Gueldre was in the Shadow Palace, he managed to carry away a load of ancient magic items and jewels with his former senior and Magic Knight, Revchi. After much discussion with Lady Freyja, we have decided to pardon Gueldre. Gueldre has a knack for business. I'm sure he'll be able to turn an even bigger profit from the treasures he tried to get away with. And I'll like him to use that money to help support the Kingdom. You know, since repairs cost quite a bit. It's not like the Kingdom has endless riches. "

"You'll help us out, right?" Rhiannon gave the former Captain a deceivingly calm smile.

"Of course." Gueldre knelt before the Goddess. "I will do everything that I possibly can."

"One last thing," Julius spoke. "I'd like to make your salary as Magic Knights Squad Captains half of what it usually is."

"I have no objections." Fuegoleon spoke for the others.

"You can't be serious." Jack snapped.

"I'm in debt." Yami fumed.

"You want us to go broke?" Jack barked.

"Too bad, majority rules, so..." Rhiannon pointed to the other Captains. "There you have it."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.